Skip to content

Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

99

Total

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

AIR BAGS
54
ELECTRICAL
13
OTHER
9
ENGINE
9
BRAKES
6

Owner Complaint Reports

Showing 25 of 99 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.

ODI #11679565

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/01/2025

unable to turn off car. Ignition switch is locked and key is unmovable.

ODI #11669593

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/02/2025

I have been trying to get the recall fixed since I purchased my vehicle in July 2023. For nearly two years, I have received repeated letters from Volkswagen urging me to have the recall addressed. However, despite calling every two months to schedule an appointment, I am always told that the part is unavailable and that they have no estimated date for its arrival. I'm continually advised to call back in another two months. Last month, after calling dealerships more than ten times since purchasing the vehicle, I contacted VW Customer Service directly. They referred me to the Macon dealership, assuring me that they would assist in booking an appointment. Unfortunately, after speaking with Macon, I was once again told to call back—this time in October—when they might receive the necessary part. I am moving back to Canada at the end of August, and despite nearly two years of effort, my vehicle remains unrepaired. I am extremely dissatisfied with this situation, especially considering the severity of the issue. I live in Georgia, where the climate is hot and humid, and I avoid driving the vehicle out of fear that the airbag could deploy dangerously. Volkswagen has failed to support me through this process, and I am left with a potentially unsafe vehicle and no resolution in sight.

ODI #11667563

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/10/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11665416

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/04/2025

My car is subject to the Takata Air Bag recall. Due to the age of the vehicle, and the hot climate where I live (California), I am in fear for my safety especially with summer around the corner. "The Old Farmer's Almanac forecasts a "scorcher" with hotter-than-normal temperatures across most of the U.S., including California." Originally, I had a service appointment for 2024 but there was a shortage of parts. I showed up for my next appointment 6/4/25 to have the service done and was told that the parts are on back order nationally until at least September. Due to the nature of my situation, my case was escalated to their RCM where I was told that nothing could be done. I asked about a loaner vehicle or a rental reimbursement until the parts arrive and they told me it was not possible. I find this to be extremely unreasonable given the severity of the recall. There are deaths and serious injuries linked to this defect and I am in constant fear when I drive my vehicle. No one should have to knowingly take this kind of risk every time they commute to work. I have spoken to multiple agents and have reached a dead end. I hope that a solution can be found for my case.

ODI #11660740

STEERING — Filed 04/30/2025

Ignition key gets stuck, Dealer stated mechanism that holds the switch is broken. This can cause issues starting, removing the key and cause the steering wheel not to turn . I've been informed it's among the top 10 requested broken parts for VW beetles with no manufacturer making this part currently

ODI #11658024

STEERING — Filed 04/30/2025

We have a big ign. Key that at times won't turn. Was informed by the dealer the mechanism is broke and it's a backordered item due to it being a common item . Failures of this part can cause the steering wheel to lock I have read

ODI #11650977Crash

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/06/2024

The 2015 Volkswagen Beetle was in a minor accident that was rear-ended by another vehicle. No one was injured. The other party claimed responsibility and the vehicle was repaired and the other party paid for the repairs. The problem is with Volkswagen not having the OEM safety equipment available to complete the repairs. The specific part is a spoiler attached to the rear trunk lid that increases the visibility of the brake light built into the rear trunk lid. In traffic this vehicle has only two brake lights within the rear fenders lower to the ground. The spoiler attached above the brake light that is attached at the top of the rear trunk lid, sits above the tail lights and the brake light can be seen by the driver in the vehicle behind the VW. VW claims that this part is on backorder. It is not available within the United States. I believe Volkswagen is refusing to manufacture this critical safety part for repairs of their vehicle. I have been told by several dealers that this part is not available and is on back order. I have tried to locate this part from VW dealers in Texas and out of state also. They all tell me the same thing. Its on back order. I understand this vehicle model is out of production but is being reintroduced again in 2025. Volkswagen should be responsible for providing original parts, especially critical safety parts. Hopefully the NTSA can bring this problem to Volkswagens attention and they will make the responsible safety decision and provide a critical safety component of this vehicle to the customers of their company. Thank you.

ODI #11636009

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/15/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) and was repaired; however, approximately 2 years later the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the passenger seat air bag sensor failed to recognize when an occupant was seated in the seat. The dealer stated that the seat needed to be replaced because the air bag sensor was integrated into the seat cushion. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

ODI #11603823

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/05/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11596992

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/26/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11572640

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/16/2024

Unknown. I bought this vehicle used but I am concerned for my safety and that of any passengers I may ever have in the vehicle.

ODI #11564863

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/20/2023

Dealer unable to perform recall 22V945. Unable to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner. Lack of parts. On a waiting list with no ETA for repair.

ODI #11555717

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/17/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that the contact had to pay for an additional repair that was preventing the dealer from completing the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and determined that the contact had to pay out of pocket for the original recall repair to be performed. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11553045

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/01/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11551547

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/04/2022

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. A local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11549419

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/11/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11548573

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/01/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11546970

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/27/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11545140

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/18/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11545249

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 09/18/2023

Speedometer stops working. My 16 year old daughter can’t tell how fast she is going when the speedometer stops working. And the screen freezes. Cruise control does not work.

ODI #11544304

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/05/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted regarding the recall remedy or to confirm parts availability per the recall letter received informing the contact not to notify a dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue as the number provided on the recall notice was unreachable. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11544381

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/13/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11543687

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/10/2023

The driver's side air bag inflator may explode causing sharp metal fragments to strike driver and passengers which may cause death. This has been a known issue since January 2023. To date there is no known repair available? This is unacceptable.

ODI #11541766

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/25/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V945000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #10849784Crash

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/14/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A FREIGHT TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT FELT PAIN IN THE RIGHT ARM AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov